Ensuring optimum safety when working at height is a paramount concern. No engineer knowingly wants to put their own life and limbs at risk, and it would be fair to say that they are increasingly aware of how important it is to take the proper precautions and use the right equipment when working on rooftops.   

According to the Health & Safety Authority (HSA), falls from height remain one of the most common causes of fatality and major injury in Ireland. According to the latest health & safety statistics (2014-2015), eight workers died as a result of a fall from height and 7775 non-fatal injuries were reported to the HSA in 2015. These figures are staggering, given that there are a number of regulations and guidance notes in place.  

For engineers accessing rooftops on a regular basis, it is essential to work with a safety system, and sensible to opt for a solution that isn’t reliable on correct usage. 

Safety gates are a great option for use on roofs where regular access for maintenance and inspection is required.  

For many years, chains, bars and sliding link tubes have been the method of protection for safe access to rooftops. While these provide a simple safety solution, they are reliant on correct usage which, as we all know, isn’t reliable. Engineers can forget to replace the bar or chain, leaving a gap behind them.

Self-closing

Self-closing safety gates ensure engineers can fulfil their job, follow best practices and comply with current safety standards, without putting their safety at risk.  

Self-closing gates are spring loaded, so can automatically close behind the engineer, providing an added level of security and overcoming the potential for human error.  

Some systems, such as Kee Gate, are available in galvanised steel and if required can be powder coated in safety yellow. Available with standard 'U' bolts for fixing to uprights of 33.7, 42.4 and 48.3mm diameter, the gate can be fixed quickly to existing supporting structures, posts or stringers. An additional fixing pack is provided which allows the gate to be fixed to square, flat or angle uprights. Easy to install or to retro-fit existing structures, such as galvanised handrails and roof edge protection systems, Kee Gate is 1m wide. Designed to be trimmed on-site, this solution saves companies the time and money it takes to fabricate their own gates. 

It is important to ensure that the system that is specified, is compliant with the requirements of EN 13374 Class A, EN ISO 14122 Part 3 & Part 4 and is CE marked to EN 1090.  

Kee Gate has undergone extensive testing to ensure total reliability of the gates. These include salt spray testing to ASTM B117-11 Neutral solutions over 200 hours to assess the coating’s corrosion resistance, life cycle testing to BS 6375-2:2009 Clause 6.5 – Opening and closing of Gate through 90° 50,000 cycles and Abuse Testing where 9 x 25kg weights were suspended from the gate to test what happens if pressure is applied. This ensures durability, superior corrosion resistance and defence against signs of wear.

Specifying this type of system presents engineers with a quicker, more cost-effective and easier-to-install solution that eliminates the possibility of human error.